21 per cent rise in fires across Staffordshire brings winter safety warning
Firefighters have seen a 21 per cent increase in the number of incidents in Staffordshire so far this year.
New figures from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service show a significant 70 per cent increase in outdoor fires were tackled across the county over spring and summer.
There were 1,828 outdoor fires from April to September compared to 1,076 in the same period in the previous year, meaning an increase in the overall number of incidents of 21 per cent when compared to last year.
Among the incidents was a huge fire at Gentleshaw Common in Burntwood in April which was started deliberately. Last month two arson attacks at stables in Sugarloaf Lane, Iverley, left two horses dead.
In July a man suffered the effects of smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital following a factory blaze at premises in Hyssop Close, Swaffield Park, Cannock.
Staffordshire's Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michelle Hickmott, said: “We knew the last six months had been extremely busy and demanding for our firefighters and these statistics now confirm that.
“Whilst the warm weather was welcomed by many, it also meant that fires were starting and spreading much more easily. Unfortunately, despite lots of education and warnings, we still had lots of fires start that were avoidable, either because they were accidentally started by people being careless or they were started deliberately.
“As our summer periods are becoming warmer and longer, we will continue to work hard to help people understand the risks of outdoor fires to protect our communities and our environment.
“As we move into the winter months the focus will be more on home safety, particularly in relation to how people heat their home, reminding people of the importance of fires, heaters log burners and chimneys being operated with care and serviced regularly.
“Again, a lot of fires are avoidable, so we’d urge people to just take extra care to ensure they are not putting themselves, or their family, at risk.”
Residents and organisations are urged to minimise the risk of fires by checking safety advice on the brigade's website.
